Letter: What really matters

What has happened to our political process in which we now find ourselves mired in the muck of name-calling and petty invective?

There was once a time when great issues were the subject of debate. The Daniel Webster and Sen. Robert Y. Hayne debate held forth on the question of protective tariffs. Abraham Lincoln and Douglas orated eloquently (some say endlessly) on the momentous issue of the expansion of slavery.

Historically still other issues held the national stage: nullification, abolition, expansionism, the existence of a national bank, states rights, women's suffrage, prohibition, child labor, unionization, and, of course, matters leading to war.

These concerns affected the lives and economic well-being of all Americans. Indeed, when the rhetorical battles were joined, the gulf separating the antagonists was often wide and seemingly unbridgeable. Emotions ran hot and accusations flew furiously. The issues really mattered and peoples' lives were changed dramatically depending on the outcomes.

We have important issues now to debate and resolve: the manner and extent of the role that government plays in our lives, the ways in which health care will be delivered, our military and geopolitical involvement around the world, the responsibilities of the public and private sectors to deal with unemployment, grow the economy, and to maintain the deteriorating infrastructure, the most effective ways to educate and incentivize our youth.

These are real issues that should be seriously debated and dealt with, not matters such as religious beliefs and how we choose to conduct our private lives.